Weekend: World Police and Fire Games, Puppet Theater, Canine Cruise + More

Friday, June 26: Game of Heroes

World Police and Fire Games: Ten days of exciting competition by police and firefighters from throughout the world kick off with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. Over 9,000 competitors will take part in over 60 sports at 53 venues throughout the Washington, D.C., area June 26 through July 5. Events are free and open to the public. Schedule/locations. Opening ceremony tickets are free and can be requested online. More information.

Also on Friday:

Parent and Child Fishing by Boat : Enjoy fishing with your child from a Jon boat or canoe and follow a naturalist to favorite fishing spots. This scenic section of the Potomac offers bass, sunfish and the occasional catfish. Get started with an introduction to boating basics. Previous experience not required. Maximum three persons per boat; one must be 16 years or older. Each participant must register. Download waiver, complete and bring it to tour. From 5 to 7 p.m. at Riverbend Park. Canceled in case of bad weather or hazardous river conditions. $16/person includes boat, personal flotation device and fishing rod rental. Register online. For information, call 703-759-3211.

Cinema Under the Stars – “Mamma Mia!” Pack your blankets for a night of fun with family and friends! Food vendors will have a variety of picnic-style dinner options for purchase from 6 to 9 p.m.A la carte beer and wine available for purchase from 7 to 10 p.m. Due to Virginia ABC regulations, guests are not permitted to bring their own alcohol onto the campus. During Family Fun Hour (7:30 to 8:30 p.m.) there will be music, trivia contests, door prizes for costumes (inspired by the movie’s Greek isle setting, wear your “island casual” attire) and games available to play. From 6 to 10 p.m.on the Quad at the Workhouse Arts Center. Suggested donation: $5/person; children under 9 free; buy tickets online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Frying Pan Fridays : Delve into pond exploration with a stress-free adventure including hands-on activities and short hikes for ages 5 and up. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Mipso: The three North Carolina songwriters of Mipso take four-part harmony, bluegrass and Appalachian influences into new territory. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason District ParkAmphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Mount Vernon Nights Concert – The Quebe Sisters Band: The band has taken the Americana music scene by storm with a blend of vintage country, bluegrass, jazz and swing standards with Texas-style fiddling. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Grist Mill Park. Free admission. For information, call703-324-7469.

Who-oo Is in the Forest Goodnight Walk :Learn about the owls that inhabit our woods and how to identify their calls. Listen to an American Indian tale of why the owl has big eyes and enjoy an evening woodland walk with a naturalist. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Canceled in case of rain. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $6/person. Registeronline. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Saturday, June 27: Patriotic Plantings

Family Fun – Make a Patriot Garden: Join us in decorating and planting a red, white and blue container garden in time for the Fourth of July. Learn to plant and care for flowers through the summer. From 1 to 2 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Ages 5 and up. $12/person. Registeronline. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Saturday:

Blue Sky Puppet Theater – “The Three Not So Little Pigs” :An updated adaptation of the classic story where the pigs play with remote control cars, rock ‘n’ roll guitars and the wolf is a vegetarian. From 10 to 11 a.m. at Burke Lake Park Amphitheater. Free. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Mr. Gabe: Enjoy a mix of traditional children’s songs, family-friendly pop numbers and originals. From 10 to 11 a.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

The YOJO Show – “Choose to Read”: A kids’ comedy show that’s lots of laughs with a great message. Our big fuzzy friend, YoJo, initially has a bad attitude about reading. He would rather spend his time watching TV and playing video games. But after several comic mishaps, YoJo learns that not only is reading very important, but it also can be lots of fun! From 10 to 11 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Scalawags Singalong for Young Pirates: Traditional and new seafaring music with stories about real pirates and how they lived. From 10 to 11 a.m. at Mason District Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Mount Vernon Nights Concert: Yellow Dubmarine, a Beatles/reggae tribute band, plays tribute to the greatest Beatles songs of all time. From 7 to 8 p.m. on the Quad at the Workhouse Arts Center. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Sangre Boliviana: Enjoy traditional Bolivian music and dance. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ossian Hall Park. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Alexandria Kleztet: Traditional Eastern European/Jewish music with diverse influences create a unique and entertaining sound. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Arrowbrook Centre Park. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Sunday, June 28: Journey to the Past

Wagon Ride – Visit to the Corn Crib : Riverbend’s meadow was once farmland. Go back in time by visiting the corn crib and enjoy children’s activities of the 1900s. From 11 a.m. to noon at Riverbend Park. $5/person. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Also on Sunday:

Dragonflies : Learn about the life cycle, behavior and identification of the park’s many dragonflies and damselflies by venturing to the wetland to observe them in action. From 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Huntley Meadows Park. Ages 12 to adult. Canceled if it rains. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Stars on Sunday Concert Series –“A Summer Serenade”: This week’s concert features cabaret vocalists. While you’re there, visit the farmers market, which is open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.and pick up locally grown fruits, veggies, meats and more. Concert runs from 3 to 4 p.m. on the Quadat the Workhouse Arts Center. Free admission. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Canine Cruise: Treat your canine companion to a special cruise aboard Lake Accotink’s pooch-friendly tour boat. Catch the last rays of sun while your dog scans for ducks and other creatures. From 7 to 8 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park. Humans must be 8 or up and accompanied by an adult if under 16. Arrive 20 minutes before your cruise time to pick up tickets. $6/person, no charge for dogs. Limit one dog per person. Participants will be notified and issued refunds for any cancellation due to rain or winds. No refunds for any other reason. For more information and to register, call 703-569-0285.

Spotlight by Starlight – United States Army Blues: Created in 1942 to entertain soldiers and civilians in the battle zone during World War II, the band has evolved into the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason District Park Amphitheater. Free. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Information was correct at time of publication. Please contact individual event sites to confirm programs are being held as scheduled.

The Fairfax County Weekender highlights a selection of county events taking place each weekend. Many more events and activities can be found at the Parks and Library pages, and elsewhere on the Fairfax County website. Additionally, the towns of Herndon and Vienna as well as the city of Falls Church offer many arts, entertainment and recreational opportunities.

PHOTO: Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County photo